Demonstration device



May 3, 1960 A. L. ELLIOTT 2,935,165

DEMONSTRATION DEVICE Fiied Sept. 2, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

film/v L. 1. L/OTT TTOENE Y y 1960 A. L. ELLIOTT 2,935,165

DEMONSTRATION DEVICE Filed Sept. 2, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I VENT gm AM HTTOENC Y luv DEMONSTRATION DEVICE Alan L. Elliott, Palisades Park, NJ.

Application September 2, 1958, Serial No. 758,404

3 Claims. (Cl.'190-16) of supports and then held in rigid position by straps or similar elements. Such a device has been described in Patent 2,707,538 to C. W. Mayer, Sr., et a1.

United States Patent These devices have taken the form of large,

There has been a long-felt need in this area for a tion of storm window construction and operation. It

will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the teachings of my invention may be utilized in the demonstration of other items such as materials for draperies and furniture covers, Venetian blinds, shades, aluminum siding, roofing and a myriad of similar and other articles. The invention can also be employed to carry projection screens, pictures, diagrams and writing surfaces such as blackboards and similar devices. Devices of my invention may be readily adapted to all types of sales presentations.

Accordingly, it is an important object of my invention to provide a device for demonstrating storm windows and other articles.

It is a further object of my invention to provide such a device which is compact, durable and light in weight.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide such a device which is simple to operate.

These and other objects, features and advantages of my invention will be apparent during the course of the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment of my invention wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view in the closed position,

Figure 2 is a plan view in the closed position,

Figure 3 is an end elevational view in the closed position,

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the lines 4-4 of Figure 2, viewed in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the lines 55 of Figure 3 viewed in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 6 is a detailed view, in perspective, of the bottom portion of the side channel and of the chamfer of the inner member,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view, partly broken away, illustrating the manner in which the inner member is held in its raised position, and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of my invention in its open position.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein, for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates the frame members. Frame members 10 are connected on each 2 edge 10a by hinges 11 which are adjacent to the top ends of members 10. Spring 12 is secured to both members 10 by means of brackets 13 which are located close to one of hinges 11. The device of my invention may be easily operated without a spring but operation is improved when spring 12 is included as a part of the device. In addition, the device may be made with an internal spring in place of external spring 12.

Members 10 are provided with lips 17 along both sides which are substantially L-shaped and of substantially the same form and dimensions. When the two members 10 are pushed together, lips 17 form a substantially T- shaped element which is utilized to hold the device closed in the manner to be described in detail'below. Members 10 may also be provided with lips 23 at the bottom end which are similar to lips 17. Lips 23 are not necessary to the carrying out of my invention but they improve its operation.

Inner'mernber 14 is shaped to fit within frames 10 when they are pushed together and carries channels 19 on each side. Channels 19 are shaped to cooperate with lips 17 when frame members 10 are pushed together whereby the corresponding lips form a T-shaped element along the length of each side of the frame such that lips '17 are physically confined in channels 19 and thereby hold the frame in its closed position. In addition, on those devices which are equipped with lips 23, member 14 is provided with bottom channel 25 which cooperates with lips 23 in the same manner as that described with respect to lips 17 and channel 19.

Chamfers 20 are cut in member 14 on *both sides thereof near its bottom edge and serve to rest against edges 10a when the device is in its open position. Transportability of the device is facilitated by providing handle 15 which is afiixed to one of the edges of one of the members 10. However, the operation of the device is not affected if two handles (one on each member 10) or no handles are provided. Handle 16 of the disappearing or retractable type is provided in the top of member 14. However, a tab or thong may be provided in its stead without materially affecting the operation of devices of my invention. In the embodiment shown and described herein, I have used wood as the material from which member 14 is formed and therefore find it advisable to affix protective metallic cover 18 of aluminum or similar material to its top. Obviously, this protective cover may be dispensed with if desired and material other than wood may be used to form member 14.

Member 14 is provided with one or more hooks 21 near the bottom and on one side thereof. These hooks cooperate with and fit under strap 22 which is provided on the inner surface of one of members 10 to prevent member 14 from being pulled out from between members 10 during operation. Miniature storm window 24 is mounted within member 14 which simulates a window frame as is usual in window demonstration devices.

I prefer to form members 10 of aluminum but other materials may also be used.

In operation, the device is placed so that handle. 16 is up. Handle 16 is held in one hand and the other hand is rested on one edge of members 10 to steady the combination. Now, handle 16 is pulled up, thereby pulling member 14 outwardly from within members 10. When member 14 is pulled out to its full length, hooks 21 engage strap 22 to prevent further removal and members 10 are fully spread apart by spring action or by hand (Figure 8). The chamfers 20 push down against edges 10a and serve in cooperation with the force of gravity on member 14 to keep members 10 pushed apart to provide a solid foundation. It can be seen that the outside edges of member '14 are clamped between members 10 (Figure 7).

To close the unit after demonstrating the construction and operation of storm window 24 or any other article carried by member 14;, member 14 is grasped in one hand and members 10 are pushed together with the other. Then member 14 is lowered between members 10 and by the cooperative action of channels 19 and 25 with lips 17 and 23, the unit is held closed without employing any outside clamps or other devices, though such elements may be provided, if desired.

To remove member 14 from between members 10, it is pulled up as described heretofore but just before hooks 21 engage strap 22, member 10 which carries strap 22 in manually moved away from member 14 so that hooks 21 are not caught in strap 22.

While I have disclosed my invention in relation to specific examples and in specific embodiments, I .do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A demonstration device comprising a pair of matching frame members hingedly connected adjacent the top end thereof, said frame members carrying inwardly turned lips of substantially the same dimensions along both sides, an inner member carrying channels therein,

-said channels being adapted to contain two of said inwardly turned lips, one from each frame member whereby said device is held in its closed position, means for sesame moving said inner member outward from between said frame members, cooperating stopping means on said inner member and at least one of said frame members whereby said inner member is not freely removed from between said frame members when moved outwardly therefrom, said inner member carrying a pair of out- Ward chamfers from said channels on each side of said inner member at the bottom end thereof.

2. A demonstration device as described in claim 1 wherein each of said frame members carries inwardly turned lips of substantially the same dimensions along the bottom end and said inner member carries a channel at the bottom end, said channel being adapted to receive both of said inwardly turned lips when the device is its closed position.

3. A demonstration device as described in claim 1 including spring biasing means adjacent said top end of said device affixed to each of said frame members whercby said frame members are pushed apart when said inner member is moved outward from between said frame members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,646,143 Daleo vet al. July 21, 1953 2,707,538 Mayer et a1. May 3, 1955 2,713,925 Alexander July 26, 1955 

